The 2016 Cayenne S with the 4.8L V8 (M48.02 engine) is generally solid, but suffers from catastrophic bore scoring issues that can grenade the engine without warning. When it hits, you're looking at a full rebuild or replacement—not a cheap fix on a Porsche.
Catastrophic Bore Scoring / Cylinder Wall Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (more than 1 qt per 1,000 mi), Blue smoke on cold starts or hard acceleration, Loss of compression, misfires, rough idle, Metallic debris in oil during analysis
Fix: Complete engine rebuild with cylinder sleeving or block replacement. Requires 35-50 hours labor depending on shop approach. Some owners opt for used/rebuilt engine swap. Includes pistons, rings, bearings, gaskets, and machine work.
Estimated cost: $15,000-25,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: ATF puddles under vehicle, typically passenger side, Low transmission fluid warning on dash, Burnt ATF smell, Transmission slipping or harsh shifts if fluid level drops
Fix: Replace oil cooler lines and seals. Requires removal of underbody panels and sometimes subframe components for access. 4-6 hours labor plus fluid refill and adaptation.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Transmission Mounts Deterioration
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking on acceleration or deceleration, Excessive drivetrain movement felt through cabin, Vibration at idle in Drive, Visible cracking or separation of rubber from metal
Fix: Replace transmission mount(s). Access varies but typically 2-4 hours labor. Often replaced alongside engine mounts as preventive measure.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Coolant Pipe Corrosion and Leaks
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Coolant smell in cabin or under hood, Visible coolant weeping from pipe junctions near cylinder heads, Low coolant warning, Overheating if leak progresses
Fix: Replace corroded coolant pipes—often the crossover pipes behind the engine. Labor-intensive due to location; requires intake manifold removal on V8. 8-12 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $2,000-3,500
Air Suspension Compressor and Line Failures
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Suspension fault warning on dash, Vehicle sagging on one corner or entire side, Compressor runs constantly or not at all, Hissing sound from suspension area
Fix: Replace air compressor, air struts, or supply lines depending on failure point. Compressor replacement 3-5 hours, strut 2-3 hours each. Many owners convert to coil springs to avoid repeat failures.
Estimated cost: $1,500-4,000
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting or extended cranking, Rough idle, misfires, stumbling under load, Fuel system fault codes (low fuel rail pressure), Limp mode or no-start condition
Fix: Replace high-pressure fuel pump mounted on engine. Includes fuel system depressurization and potential injector service if contamination occurred. 4-6 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,000
Owner tips
Religiously monitor oil consumption and perform oil analysis every 5,000 mi—bore scoring can escalate quickly and total the engine.
Use factory-spec 0W-40 oil and change every 5,000 mi maximum; extended intervals accelerate bore wear on this engine.
Inspect transmission cooler lines and mounts during every service—catching leaks early prevents expensive transmission damage.
Budget $2,000-3,000/year for maintenance beyond basics; air suspension and cooling system are ticking time bombs after 70k.
If buying used, insist on compression test and oil consumption documentation—walk away if owner has no records or high consumption.
Only buy if you have a $20k engine-rebuild fund or can walk away from the car—bore scoring is Russian roulette, and when it hits, the bill is massive.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM battery required; located under driver seat or cargo area; Porsche part number 958-611-012-40
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Control Modules — 2016 Porsche Cayenne S
Every control module on the 2015-2017 Porsche Cayenne S — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
Power Steering Control Unit (EPS)2.5 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +0.8 hr▸ programming details
📍 Steering column, below dashboard
🔧 PIWIS II/III
⚠️ Electric power steering; steering angle sensor calibration required after replacement
Transmission Control Unit (TCU)2.5 hr R&Rdealer / factory tool +1.0 hr▸ programming details
📍 Transmission housing, driver side, accessed from underneath
⚠️ Battery registration required after replacement; start-stop system equipped vehicles
Kessy Control Unit / Immobilizer (KESSY)0.8 hr R&Rsecurity gateway +1.5 hr▸ programming details
📍 Dashboard, left side of steering column
🔧 PIWIS II/III + PPN online
⚠️ All keys must be reprogrammed; DME synchronization required; online authentication mandatory; component protection enforced
Seat Memory Control Unit (Seat Module)0.8 hr R&Raftermarket tool +0.2 hr▸ programming details
📍 Under driver seat, mounted to seat frame
🔧 Autel MaxiSys / PIWIS II/III
⚠️ Memory positions lost; user reprogramming required
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain 2003-2020 Porsche Macan, Cayenne, Panamera, and Cayman S, 2001-2004 Boxster, Boxster S, 2004 Boxster 50 JAHRE SPYDER 550 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of all affected models and model years. The caps that cover the low-beam headlight horizontal adjustment screws are missing, which can allow the headlights to be improperly adjusted. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence: Improperly adjusted headlights may not illuminate the road properly, or cause a glare to oncoming drivers, which can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the headlights for sealing caps and install missing caps as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Porsche's customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is ANB4.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES · 16V169000
2016-03-23
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (Porsche) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Cayenne vehicles manufactured April 28, 2010, to January 11, 2016. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a circlip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.
Consequence: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Porsche will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly circlip, installing any missing circlips, free of charge. The recall began on July 8, 2016. Owners may contact Porsche customer service at 1-800-767-7243. Porsche's number for this recall is AG02.
Vehicle Info — 2016 Porsche Cayenne S
Performance
Horsepower
420hp
Torque
406lb-ft
Wiper blades
Second generation (958). Changed to asymmetric front blade lengths.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2016 Porsche Cayenne S 3.6L twin-turbo V6 (420 hp) and can vary by trim.
🔧 Built by master technician Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years.